Narrated by Paige:
Upon receiving Mason's call, I suspected that he wouldn't be coming home to sleep. He already has a family with Peyton, and he didn't even have the courage to face me and tell me everything as he should.
Sarah came with me to my house. We couldn't continue talking at her office; it was dangerous because of Ethan. She has a hard time accepting that Mason will be a father with Peyton. She didn't take the news well.
"What do you plan to do when he looks for you tomorrow?" she asks me, and I shrug, confused.
"I don't know. I feel confused, hurt, and angry with him. I feel awful," I say, resting my head on her shoulder.
"I still can't believe it. How can he not come home? I swear, if I were you, I'd kick him out onto the street. He broke the contract. I mean, he's my friend, and I care about him. However, I can't stand his lack of respect towards you. Why start something with you when on the day they left, he went to see her and was with her? She's one month pregnant, although I have to admit that I find the timing too perfect. Something doesn't add up," she says, deep in thought.
It hurts me to think about the fact that he was with her the day we left, and it didn't take him long to ask me for a chance, and the idiot me accepted, forgetting that detail. My eyes fill with tears as I remember that I was a fool to believe that we could be happy, that our marriage would become real.
I shouldn't have deluded myself, created false hopes or dreamed of a future that wouldn't be possible. I shouldn't have.
I fall asleep with my head on Sarah's lap, I feel too bad. My head hurts, my body, everything.
I wake up by some caresses on my hair, I open my eyes a little and I see Sarah smiling at me.
“Good morning," she greets me.
“Is it already morning? You didn't have to stay with me all night, my friend," I say, looking away.
“What nonsense are you saying? Of course, I was going to stay. That's what friends are for. We need to think about what you're going to do when Mason comes to talk," she reminds me that I have to confront him.
“For now, I just want to shower and have a huge cup of coffee," I say, trying to smile.
“I'll make the coffee while you get ready. I'll be waiting for you in the kitchen," she says, leaving my room.
How did I end up here? I remember falling asleep on the couch in my friend's lap. Most likely, Ethan came and put me to bed. That reminds me that I'm taking away their couple time. Just thinking about that makes me feel guilty.
I quickly get ready and go downstairs with a different attitude. I put on my mask of coldness to show my friend that I'm fine and that she doesn't need to stay with me. She has her own life and things to do.
“I'm ready," I say, smiling.
“You look beautiful, my friend. What are we going to do today?" she asks, handing me my cup of coffee.
“What are we going to do? I have to go to the office, and so do you. We can have lunch together, and by then, I'll know what I'm going to do," I say, taking a sip of my favorite drink, coffee.
“Are you sure?" she asks, looking at me intently.
“Yes, fool! Come on, let's go. I don't want to be late," I comment, getting up from my seat.
“Alright, let's go," she says hesitantly.
I arrive at my office and go straight to my desk. I want to be alone and think carefully about what I'm going to do.
I rest my elbows on the desk and close my eyes, covering them with my hands. I sigh, and no matter how much I think, I don't know what I'm going to say to him. The only thing that's certain is that we won't be together. Sometimes love is not enough, and that's the case for me.
After thinking all morning, I believe I've made the right decision, at least for myself and my mental and emotional well-being.
I have lunch with Sarah and tell her about my plans. Naturally, she disagrees, but she accepts my decision and supports me.
Around four in the afternoon, Mason calls me. We agree to meet at the house, as it's a more private place where we can talk in peace.
I drive anxiously to the house, and when I enter, he's already waiting for me.
“Sorry for the delay," I say, sitting down in front of him.
“Don't worry, I think you already know what I want to talk to you about," he says nervously.
“Pretend I know nothing. I'll speak my mind after you're done," I reply, serious and cold.
“Well, first, I want you to know that I love you and that I didn't want things to turn out this way. When I asked for a chance, I meant it sincerely. My plans upon returning were completely different from what they are now. I envisioned a life by your side, unaware that fate had prepared a 180-degree change for me. I've made mistakes, and I'm the one who regrets some things I did in the past. Unfortunately, we can't change our past decisions. I never expected to encounter something like this when I returned from the trip. It never crossed my mind that this could happen.
As you already know, Peyton is pregnant, and yesterday I was with her at the hospital because she's experiencing symptoms of a miscarriage. She needs to rest, and that's why I've been busy all day looking for a place for her to live and someone to take care of her," he sighs before continuing, "I will never stop loving you, but I can't promise to be by your side. She needs me, and I can't leave them alone," he says, trying to reach for my hand.
I move my hands out of his reach. I don't want him to touch me right now. I don't want to forget what I have to say because of his proximity. I need to remain calm to make him understand my stance and my plans without questioning them.